Comparative perspective

Let's make a comparison with another region.

Regions might choose to constitute themselves addressing different concepts. We have chosen to analyse a region that’s based upon a language as a result of historical events such as colonisation. Other regions might want to associate for mutual benefit using a shared history and common interests as well. That’s the case of the Commonwealth, a region whose members are also partly from the African continent. Despite both organizations have very similar goals, such as the promotion of peace and democracy, and the common development and progress of their members, their approaches are quite different. 

The Francophonie has a more similar system to that of the United Nations, by making decisions through majority voting , while the Commonwealth does it through consensus. When it comes to funding, the Francophonie spends ten times the amount the Commonwealth does of funding per citizen. This fact portrays that when comparing them, France has a more thorough dedication in promoting la Francophonie. Both organizations have happened to clash between each other due to France’s and Britain’s interests in African conflicts, especially those that happen in the ten nations that are member of both regions. In addition to clashing, during the 1956 Suez crisis, they intended to merge under the Franco-British Union, proposed by the french Prime Minister at the time, Guy Mollet. However, the union never happened. 

Distribution of the Commonwealth. Source: Bastin (2011). Planisphere with Commonwealth countries colored in blue.
When it comes to ties with the civil society, the Commonwealth of Nations has an advantage due to the fact that it has a specific government body dedicated to cooperating with non-governmental organizations, the Commonwealth Foundation. Finally, it is worth mentioning that France seems to be the most proactive in terms of maintaining influence through the Francophonie, in comparison to the UK through the Commonwealth. In fact, there is a specific term that encompasses the tendency of French foreign relations in Africa to asserting their own influence in areas that are prone to British influence, known as the Fashoda syndrome. 

References:

- Auplat, C.  (January 2003). The Commonwealth, the Francophonie, and NGOs. The Round Table. 92 (368): 53–66. 
- Julia, M. (December 2008). La démocratie dans le projet politique de l'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. The Round Table. 97 (399): 825–838.

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